INSPIRE GK12 Lesson Plan
Lesson Title
Length of Lesson
Created By
Subject
Grade Level
State Standards
DOK Level
DOK Application
National Standards
Graduate Research Element
Classifying Matter Game
1 day
Kimberley Leggett
Science
10th, 11th, 12th (Chemistry)
Chemistry: 2a
DOK 2
Organize; compare; distinguish; identify; match
9-12: B: Physical Science
Properties of matter are relevant to my everyday
research
Student Learning Goal:
Physical Science: 2. Demonstrate and understanding of the atomic model by explaining
atomic structure and chemical bonding: (a) Describe and classify matter based on
physical and chemical properties and interactions between molecules or atoms. Physical
properties (e.g., melting points, densities, boiling points) of a variety of substances;
Substances and mixtures
National Science Education Standards of Content 9-12
B: Physical Science: Structure and Properties of Matter:
 Solids, liquids, and gases differ in the distances and angles between molecules or
atoms and therefore the energy that binds them together. In solids the structure is
nearly rigid; in liquids molecules or atoms move around each other but do not
move apart; and in gases molecules or atoms move almost independently of each
other and are mostly far apart.
Materials Needed (supplies, hand-outs, resources):
Two different colors of paper to copy game pieces on to; States of Matter Activities sheet
located at http://www.collaborativelearning.org/statesofmatter.pdf
Lesson Performance Task/Assessment:
Use the state of matter activities to identify solid, liquid, and gasses. The first game is a
solid, liquid, and gases picture game which has short descriptions that have to be matched
with the picture of a solid, liquid, or gas. An extension activity to the previous is to
organize the cards into two different categories: 1. which describe what we find by
observing solids, liquids, and gases. 2. Which ones describe how the ‘particle theory’
explains these observations? The last game is a connect-four game with pictures of
different solids, liquids, and gases against descriptions of these things. These will be set
up as small groups to play to allow for some discussion.
Lesson Relevance to Performance Task and Students:
INSPIRE Project Funded by the NSF Graduate K-12 Program
1
INSPIRE GK12 Lesson Plan
To enhance the student’s ability to identify between different types of matter and how
they behave with the use of the games mentioned above.
Anticipatory Set/Capture Interest:
Facilitate a discussion on the different types of matter and their behavior hopefully using
the smartboard.
Guided Practice:
Instructor will review a lesson on the different types of matter and their behavior.
Instructions on how the games are played.
Independent Practice:
The students will be split into small groups to play the different types of games
demonstrating the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. This allows for group
discussions on the different types of matter and how they behave. The instructor will be
moving around to clarify any misunderstandings.
Remediation and/or Enrichment:
R: Individual IEP; partner help throughout lesson; shorten to fewer games
E: Can complete all games and give more detailed descriptions
Check(s) for Understanding:
The games will be played by the instructor in front of the class near the end so no one
leaves with any misunderstandings of the states of matter and their behavior.
Closure:
Explain how these different states of matter show up in our everyday lives and why it is
important to know the differences between them.
Possible Alternate Subject Integrations:
Physical Science – when investigating chemical and physical properties of matter
Teacher Notes:
I will be adding homogenous and heterogeneous to all of the games since mine is for high
school chemistry.
States of Matter Activities sheet located at
http://www.collaborativelearning.org/statesofmatter.pdf
INSPIRE Project Funded by the NSF Graduate K-12 Program
2